Art History Courses

ARTH 1114 Art History: Ancient to GothicAsurvey of major works and periods in Western art from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. This course emphasizes the principles and vocabulary of visual expression and the relationship between art and its historical context. Special attention is given to three-dimensional works151architecture and sculpture151in the ancient world (Egypt, Greece, and Rome) and in the Christian West (Byzantium and Europe). This course also introduces a selection of non-Western art and architecture. III B

ARTH 1124 Art History: Renaissance to ModernA survey of major artists and movements in Western art from the early Renaissance to the present. As with Art History I, this course introduces the general student to the principles and vocabulary of visual expression. With emphasis on painting, sculpture, and architecture, class discussions center on some of the economic, political, and social forces that shaped great works by artists from Giotto and Michelangelo to Picasso and Nevelson. III B

ARTH 1604 Introduction to Asian ArtA survey of visual traditions of Asia with an emphasis on the cultures of India, China, and Japan. Through examining major artistic trends of these three traditions, this course will introduce students to the distinctive styles, forms, and aesthetics of each region. Aesthetic issues will be studied within their appropriate religious and cultural contexts. Special attention will be given to the mutual influences and transmissions of culture that shape the works of art. III A

ARTH 2144 Modern ArtAn investigation of art and visual culture from the Realist revolutions of the mid-nineteenth century to Minimalism and Conceptual Art of the 1970s. Class discussions focus on artists, emblematic works of art, and major movements in art as well as on critical reception of works; readings and discussion will emphasize the political, social, and economic forces that shape the art of this period. Among the topics considered: new processes and materials, popular images, art criticism and critical theories, "major monuments" and popular images. Prerequisite: Completion of the Area II distribution requirement in fine arts. IV; V

ARTH 2154 History of Architecture: Classic to ContemporaryA survey of the western tradition in architecture and city design from the 6th century BCE to the present. For the most part, this is a ’cities’ course that centers on buildings and their urban environments. It will investigate some of the ways that buildings and urban centers are shaped by political, social, economic, and intellectual forces and, in turn, some ways that they reveal the culture of time and place. III B or IV.

ARTH 2294 Special Topics in Art HistoryStudy of an area not covered in other art history courses. Courses will include Western and/or nonwestern emphases, interdisciplinary study, and May term travel. Topics change from term to term and are announced in advance. May be repeated for different topics. IV

ARTH 2554 African Art and CultureProvides an introduction to the rich heritage of African art and culture. Examines the varied ways that African art has shaped and been shaped by the histories and cultural values of different African peoples, both in the past and during the present day. This course will strengthen the student’s ability to critically assess the role of art in Africa for the people who produce and use it, and will provide an understanding of the role of African art in the West for the people who collect, exhibit, view, and study it. Topics of study will include social, political, religious, philosophical, gendered, and aesthetic practices. Also listed as ANTH 2554. III A or IV

ARTH 2604 Ideas in Non-Western ArtThis course will consider how philosophic and religious ideas have been incorporated into the art of various non-Western cultures. Focus areas include: Japan, China, India, the Middle East, Native North America, Native Africa, and New Guinea. Attention will also be given to comparison of non-Western with Western art, and examination of intercultural influences. Satisfies an elective or art history course in the art major or minor. III A or IV

ARTH 2624 Arts of ChinaA survey of major trends in the arts of China from the Neolithic period to the early Modern era, with focus on important monuments and objects within cultural contexts. Aesthetic issues will be related to contemporaneous developments in philosophy, religion, government, society, and culture. Lectures, readings, and discussions will help students acquire some understanding of technological and stylistic developments as well as aesthetic, theoretical, and cultural issues. III A or IV

ARTH 2644 Arts of JapanA survey of major trends in the arts of Japan from the prehistoric time to the nineteenth century. The course examines important monuments and objects within broader contexts of Japanese history and culture. Monuments associated with Shinto and Buddhist beliefs will be studied as well as works created in response to more secular interests. Special attention will be given to the relationship between Japanese art and that of continental Asia. III A or IV.

ARTH 2664 Chinese Calligraphy: History and PracticeAn introductory survey of history and art of Chinese calligraphy from the Shang through the Qing dynasties. This course will focus on the development of major artistic traditions and examine important artists and their works within the broader context of Chinese history. Through lectures, readings, class discussions and studio practices, students will learn the aesthetic values of Chinese calligraphy as well as the fundamental brush and ink techniques. Attention will be given to the importance of calligraphy to Chinese culture. III A or IV.

ARTH 3114 Special Topics in Art HistoryAn intensive study of a period or topic in art history. Topics change and are announced in advance. Most ’special topics’ concentrate on issues of twentieth-century art--topics include the beginnings of modern (artists and issues from 1890 to 1914) and issues in art, 1960-1990. Seminar format. May be repeated for credit provided that the period or topic is different. Prerequisite: ARTH 1114, 1124, 2144, or permission of instructor. May be used to satisfy a distribution requirement in non-Western civilization when topic is appropriate. IV

ARTH 3124 Women in ArtA study of major issues about women and art from the Renaissance to the present. Discussion will center on the nature of images made by women and on the social, political, and economic forces that shape women’s work. Special emphasis will be placed on women as patrons, collectors, and models. Seminar format with extensive readings and research paper. Also listed as WS 3134. Prerequisite: ARTH 1124, 2144, or WS 1004. IV; V

ARTH 3144 Contemporary ArchitectureA study of selected contemporary buildings and their urban environments, in a global context, with emphasis on the social, political, and economic forces that shape them. Study includes critical theories and will investigate not only "signature" architecture but also vernacular forms of building, post-modern and late modern. Topics include building genres, international competitions, critical reception, "celebrity" architects, and participatory design as well as environmental issues-land use and landscape architecture. Prerequisite: ARTH 1124, 2144, or 2154. IV

ARTH 3154 Modern ArchitectureA critical study of buildings and their urban environments primarily in Europe and the U.S. from the second half of the nineteenth century through the 1970s. Emphasizes the social, economic, and political forces in this period that have shaped architecture and city design and investigates some of the theories that underlie their form and meaning. Topics include: the architect as philosopher-builder, critical reception of buildings and city plans, new technologies and architectural form, and issues of modern vs. postmodern. Prerequisite: ARTH 1124, 2144, or 2154. IV; V

ARTH 3164 Contemporary ArtExamines a selection of themes and ideas expressed by artists since 1970. Organized as a seminar, discussion will focus not only on artists, the critic, and the viewer, but also on the social, political and economic forces that shape the making and reception of art. Global and regional issues are analyzed here as they are expressed in a variety of new media and venues. Extensive reading assignments raise issues of race, class, and gender and include current critical theories in art. Prerequisite: ARTH 1124 or 2144. IV; V

ARTH 3624 Buddhist Art of AsiaFocusing on the visual arts of India, China, and Japan, this course is a study of the major Buddhist traditions in Asia. Particular attention will be given to Buddhist iconography and the role of the visual arts in Buddhist religious practice and society. Students will also explore the exchanges and influences exerted by Buddhism throughout Asia and examine the distinctive religious expressions within each region. Prerequisite: ARTH 1604, 2624, 2644, or permission of instructor. IV;V

ARTH 3644 Modern and Contemporary Chinese ArtExplores the major artistic developments in China from the late Qing (mid-19th century) to the present. Discussions examine art works in different media and center on the ways in which Chinese artists have defined modernity and their tradition in response to broad changes in Chinese culture over the period. Special attention will be given to the political factors behind the making of works of art, as well as to cross-cultural communication in modern and contemporary China. Prerequisite: ARTH 1604, 2624, or permission of instructor. IV; V

ARTH 4204 Internship in Art HistorySupervised placements in organizations that provide professional opportunities and experience. These include museums, establishments concerned with arts administration, architectural firms, and city planning offices. Area of placement and course format decided in consultation with appropriate faculty. Prerequisite: declared art history major; 4 art history courses; junior or senior standing. CR/NC grading. One unit course.

ARTH 4208 Internship in Art HistorySupervised placements in organizations that provide professional opportunities and experience. These include museums, establishments concerned with arts administration, architectural firms, and city planning offices. Area of placement and course format decided in consultation with appropriate faculty. Prerequisite: declared art history major; 4 art history courses; junior or senior standing. CR/NC grading. Two unit course.

ARTH 4444 Capstone Seminar in Art HistoryThorough study of a single period in art history with an emphasis on methodology. This course explores a variety of critical/theoretical issues in the field and culminates in a major research paper. Prerequisites: two of the following: ARTH 3124, 3154, 3164, 3624, 3644, or permission of instructor. IV

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